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Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.dawn.com/news/1103788/polio-cell-to-control-flow-of-inaccurate-info-to-media
Polio cell to control flow of ?inaccurate? info to media
Asif Chaudhry
Updated 23 minutes ago
LAHORE: Perturbed by media focus on government failure in containing polio spread in the country, the Polio Eradication Programme has decided to establish a dedicated cell aimed at ?restricting the flow of information?.
According to sources and official documents, an international organisation through official correspondence has shared information on handling the media through a document titled ?Pakistan Emergency Polio Communications Strategy?. The document also reveals that a rapid response media cell has been devised.
It claims the media in Pakistan speculates and reports inaccurately on polio eradication. The document that has been shared with high-ranking officials of the Punjab health administration and senior brass of the polio programme by the foreign agency reveals that the Polio Media Response Cell (PMRC) will be housed at the World Health Organisation (WHO) and respond to media queries/reports according to their categorisation.
?Pakistani media reports that are based on misinformation or inaccurate facts have the potential to create a snowball effect and result in caregivers refusing the oral polio vaccination,? states the document...
Polio cell to control flow of ?inaccurate? info to media
Asif Chaudhry
Updated 23 minutes ago
LAHORE: Perturbed by media focus on government failure in containing polio spread in the country, the Polio Eradication Programme has decided to establish a dedicated cell aimed at ?restricting the flow of information?.
According to sources and official documents, an international organisation through official correspondence has shared information on handling the media through a document titled ?Pakistan Emergency Polio Communications Strategy?. The document also reveals that a rapid response media cell has been devised.
It claims the media in Pakistan speculates and reports inaccurately on polio eradication. The document that has been shared with high-ranking officials of the Punjab health administration and senior brass of the polio programme by the foreign agency reveals that the Polio Media Response Cell (PMRC) will be housed at the World Health Organisation (WHO) and respond to media queries/reports according to their categorisation.
?Pakistani media reports that are based on misinformation or inaccurate facts have the potential to create a snowball effect and result in caregivers refusing the oral polio vaccination,? states the document...